Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Iowa City, IA: $50,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Iowa City, IA earns a median $50,345/year (≈ $24.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $55,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is $50,345, which slightly surpasses the national median of $49,986 by approximately 0.72%. This role offers a salary range from $39,415 at the lower end (P10) to $68,512 at the top end (P90), illustrating a significant pay gradient influenced by job setting. Data on compensation is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, providing reliable insights for professionals in this field. Veterinary technologists and technicians in Iowa City can expect higher salaries in specialty hospitals compared to general practice settings due to the increased demand for specialized skills and certifications within the industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,415 | $18.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,594 | $19.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,345 | $24.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,972 | $25.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,512 | $32.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,097 (2026 est.). At $50,345, the local median is 0.72% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $50,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $47,675 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +0.72% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $50,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 5.60% above the Iowa state average of $47,675.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $50,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,016 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,573
2025 BLS Actual
$47,720
2026 Current Est.
$50,345
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,573 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,114 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $35,573 (2019) to $47,720 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,541 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,415 – $39,594 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,594 – $50,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,345 – $52,972 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,972 – $68,512 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Iowa City
The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians is steadily developing in Iowa City, with around 50 professionals currently employed. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 91.509, which falls below the national average, salaries may afford a reasonable standard of living despite the rising demand and inflationary pressures. Specialty hospitals, particularly those focusing on emergency care and internal medicine, tend to offer higher salaries, followed closely by corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, as they have structured pay scales that often reward experience and VTS credentials. Differences in pay can be attributed to factors such as certification levels, the complexity of cases handled, and additional shift differentials offered by 24-hour emergency facilities. To maximize earning potential in the local market, pursuing certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specializations, and considering positions in specialty clinics can significantly enhance an individual's veterinary technologist and technician pay in Iowa City, IA.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Iowa City?
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Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,720 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Iowa City metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov